That bruise is still tender, apparently

[clevermanka]

I just helped a kid from Tulane enroll in an English class.

Now I'm tearing up again. I wanted to tell him how much New Orleans meant to me, but I was afraid of breaking down and starting to cry. I gave him as much information as I could about the English class (and the other four classes he's trying to enroll in) and wished him luck with a smile. As soon as he walked out the door my throat started to close up.

Damn it.

Comments

It's ok

[iron-clad.livejournal.com]

I've caught myself a time or two. I spent the first 5 or so months of my Navy career there when my first ship the USS Carter Hall was being built in Avondale. My two buddies and I had an apt in the quarter. I have fond memories of NO as well. Not to mention the humanity of the aftermath. I'm right there with ya.

Re: It's ok

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

When the French Quarter is back up and running and hotels are available, I am so going back and spending all my tourist money for the year on a fabulous trip there.

NOLA deserves my cash. =)

[arian1.livejournal.com]

Did you live there ever?

As a former resident, yeah it's hard. Six friends have lost their family homes so far.

[rougewench.livejournal.com]

My dear, it's a bruise we all carry, and will carry so long as those people are displaced and the clean up is moving forward.

That it may never be the same is hard to imagine, for so vibrant a place in the world.


D.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

I lived there for a life-changing ten days. Seems petty, but the city spoke to me like no other city ever has.

[arian1.livejournal.com]

Take heart. It will recover. There's a bar on Bourbon that never closed. Not one minute through the whole thing. I know it seems like a soundbyte look at it. But people there are tough. It'll come back. Most of this historical architecture is still intact, old town didn't take the beating that the outlying areas did.

Give a smile. It's still talking.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

I'll let you know when I start planning my trip. Maybe we can meet up for a wild weekend.

Re: It's ok

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

That is something anyone can do, even those who don't feel they can get away to directly help, or who don't want to give money to Red Cross or such: Just save up for a trip and directly help those who have rebuilt their businesses. Spend at the little places, I suggest. Stay at the B&Bs and old establishments instead of the big, modern hotels.

Re: It's ok

[skyflame.livejournal.com]

I read a CNN story just a few minutes ago where Mr Mayor was hoping to open the French Quarter for business next week. Hopefully that'll cheer up some of the locals that are left.

[green-tara76.livejournal.com]

It will be back, and I'll spend a LUDICROUS amount of money there!

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Me, too. I'm saving all my vacation pennies for a huge blowout there in about a year and a half.

I've only been there once

[emeder.livejournal.com]

on tour, but I definitely had a good time, especially in the French Quarter and going through the cemetaries. Such beautiful things.